Before actually going to the pub, Alrik ducks into the back door of the Velvet Fang and slips into his room. (Not rolling stealth, because he's been trained in different ways of not being seen. Act like you belong and people will think you do!)
He changes out of his uniform and then while looking in the mirror, brings his hand up to his face and with a small static shock, changes his appearance. Instead of the storm blue eyes, he now appears to have forest green eyes and dark red hair, accompanied by a set of three scars running across his right cheek. He scratches the red goatee and smirks at himself in the mirror.
Being careful not to be seen coming out of his room, he begins walking out of The Fang and toward the pub
As you approach the Dragon's Lair Inn, you hear quite a party going on inside. Entering through the swinging doors, a short human woman with long braided blonde hair turns around to you at the bar, cleaning a glass with a cloth. She speaks loudly over the noise: "Hello dear, what can I get for you?"
Alrik walks over to the bar, and slipping the barmaid a gold coin, whispers, "I'll take a bottle of water, but if anyone asks, it is whiskey..."
She chuckles, "Whatever you want, darlin'. I think those boys won't mind what you're drinking as long as you're having fun." She winks, passing Alrik a bottle and pocketing the coin.
You see several groups, the chiefmost of which is centered around Petvin. He looks rather inebriated, rosy cheeked and laughing with some farmers and merchants.
(You can slip in rumors, or make checks to hear tidbits of things, whatever you want xD
Alrik goes and leans against a nearby pillar and begins drinking straight from the bottle, making sure to spill a little of the brown liquid down his chin. (Prestidigitation for the win! Lol)
After a few large swallows, he walks over and begins joining the large crowd of people.
(Rofllllll that's clever..... I love it
Dragging a chair over, Alrik speaks up in a small lull of the group. "Hey! What do you get when you cross a mage with a donkey?"
Petvin perks up, a cheeky smile on his face and his eyes glazed over. The cleric definitely has his own vices. "Whassat? Whadya get?"
Alrik takes another big swig from his bottle, wiping the spillage with the back of his hand. "That jackass storm mage that came into town!" He laughs at his own joke, pounding the table. "I've ran into him before... has a right good way of mucking things up with the ladyfolk..."
(Omgosh what.. Rofl 🤣😂
Petvin chokes on a sip of his hard cider, laughing and trying to stop it from spraying too bad. "Aaaahaha!! Good one, he uuuh.... -hic- definitely seemed the type when I mettem, but.... Notta bad fella, we all gotta slewa ladyfolk trouble, don't we fellas? Haha!" The other men chuckle and down some more alcohol, one or two patting you on the shoulder and pulling you closer into the table, happy to have you.
One farmer nudges you. "What other stories ya got, man? We heard all ours ten times over, tell us some new ones stranger! Mr...?"
"Call me Tyrius. An' do I got a story for ya! I went over to the ladies house y'all have, right? The Velvet Fang I think it's called? Saw a real pretty dark elf, and asked for her company for the night. We got to talkin' and she said..." he takes another drink.
"She said that the owner knowingly let that necromancer come into his establishment! Invited him, even!"
(Meh... fair to meddling bluff roll... 14)
(I figure they're all drunk, so they won't know the difference between a lie and truth. Haha)
(Whaaaaat.. Dude.. Rofl......what you trying to mess with xD
"Wait, no... it weren't her that told me... but I heard it while I was eating at the Fang... sorry, I been at the bottle sl bit early today." He grins
(I'll roll with.... Disadvantage for sure
"But youse fellas don't wanna hear about youse own town!" He slaps one of the fellows next to him on the shoulder. "You wanna hear about me and my stories! Boy I tell ya, I got a good one for youse guys!"
(Man, I rolled two 4's....haha.)
"Wh-whaaaat?" The men gape a bit, some of them sobering up a little. "The dragon guy said wed'a been dead anoth'r night... No way Oxy woulda known would he?" "Nah, not unless a necro be blabbin whatsit, or cartin' round a carcass..." "Yes he woulda known, he's the smartest ass we got in town, we pony up our money to em... Aaha.. You seen the magic he's got."
They all start mumbling together about several things, a few still not caring and wanting to hear your other stories. "Go on man, what else ya got?"
Alrik stands up, feinting a drunken sway. "I met a fella on the road... said he got kicked out of the town here by the mayor for..." he scratches his head and squints, like he's trying to remember, then takes another drink. "For tryin' to warn youse all about some nasty threat... yer mayor kinda blew it off like he already knew!"
He fakes nearly falling over, and sits back down with a wobble, bracing himself on the man next to him and laughing. "The seas be livin' in me legs!"
(17 deception)
(6 with disadvantage) "Old man, sit down! You're makin' me dizzy with all your wibbilin' goin' on!" The man you're bracing against holds you tight, laughing. "Well Cere knows a lot of a lot, that man's been the backbone of this town for years!" "Yeeeeah but whada expect... Upper class men always the same... Even Oxy and that new bloke, Atriox, -hic- prolly a pompous bastard like the rest of em..." "Oh come off it ya old salt mine, stop yer complainin..." A few ask for more stories.
"Anyway, anyways... youse fellas know what a gnoll is? Big ugly beast... like to eat ya while youse still kickin... I once got into a tussle with one of em." He points to the scars on his face. "Tried to claw my eye clean out, he did! Luckily I got away, but I lost my way and found myself stranded with no food. Happened to get found l did... found by youse library owner!" He takes another drink from his bottle, spilling more down his goatee. "Course he didn't know I'd follow him, but he found me, he did!"
(11 deception... my lowest roll yet. I rolled a 6... haha)
(Nat 1...XD) "What? Poor man, bad luck be followin' him lately..." Several of them shake their heads. "Hearta gold, he is. Only row he ever had was with that coot Olohand but bah, who could blame him! Heard he's recoverin over at the temple he is..."
"Yeah, yeah, lotsa strange things out there lately! -hic- undead, you bein' attacked by gnolls! Necromancers! Orc raiders now?" "I even saw a kobold sneakin' through town the other night on me way home... -hic- headin out to goodness knows where. Last one I saw took out ol' Mr. Weaver, his son's over at the orphanage with the otherens... Woulda clubbed it over the head meself if ida been sober enough to catch em. Sneaky bastard, blood on em and all. All sorts of mischief..."
"That kobold that's with ol' Alrik? Nah, youse don't wanna be hurtin' him none! Dontcha know? He be a kobold of legend! Them stars across the seas tell of him! Say he's gonna be the strongest kobold the world's ever seen, and that he will unite all kobolds and take them to a homeland where they'll be safe!" He takes another drink, then starts fumbling with a cigarette. Lighting it with the candle in the middle of the table, he leans back and exhales. "I dunno about youse fellas, but kobold free roadways sound nice! I say let him take em to a homeland!"
(16)
(6) "Bah, take em all I wager! That'd be a miracle, iffen it happens! Blasted buggers can go far from here for all I care, roads ain't safe." "Nah, I dunno what kobold it was, they're all alike ain't they? But covered in blood eh? I'm sure it was em, had a messed up face he did. Not sure what company OR legends that mage donkey be hangin' out with! Heh..." "You're one to jabber, you shoulda heard the soldiers talk of it, how they rounded up hundreds! Like slaughterin' squealin' chickens, but they just keep comin'..."
Petvin leans on the table, rubbing his temple. "Y'all yammerin way too loud now, comeon... Don't scare our guest away, he'll think our town is cursed! Sorry, Tyrius, tellem more! I wanna hear bout wheres you from... Any place near here?"
Alrik waves the conversation off, turning his attention to Petvin. "I actually come from a place a long ways from here... little port town called Winterhold. Way up north."
"Oooooh....." he stares blankly for a moment. "Neber heard of it..."
"Not many have. Like I said, it's real little. Tough people, though! Have to be... gotta deal with trolls and wolves and other nasties..." he polishes off his bottle and cigarette, then nods to the group. "Well, I'm gonna go find some nice soft hay to climb in... youse people charge too much for a room!" He laughs and stumbles his way to the door.
Most of the men cheer at your passing and inebriated state, some sad to see you go, others laughing at your jokes. You pass back outside into the cool night air. Rumors will start flowing, soon enough...
Alrik looks around, smiling to himself as he walks back to the Velvet Fang. Making his way carefully in through the window to his room, he allows the illusion to fade and changes back into his uniform before going out to the dinner buffet.
(Niiiice... Love the use of your spells)
***
Atriox. You can hear a strange noise coming from the room, a kind of grating whistle in your ears. The room is dimly lit, but you can see the pile of treasure from the Crypt in the corner. It looks like there's more then you remember... Other odd trinkets are stuck in along with the treasure chest and gear.
There are bottles of alcohol, some rather nice years indeed... You you also see some other little bags of money lying around, in satchels and purses that you don't recognize, along with a stack of silk robes, a pair of manacles, a bent quarterstaff, a broken lute, a leatherskin drum, some beaver skin boots and a pair of elk antlers.
Tak pops up on the other side of the bed, holding a little pan flute and wearing a funny hat. When he sees you and tosses the flute in the pile with a clatter, climbing on the bed. He snatches the hat off. "Hi... Uh... Things go okay?"
Atriox grunts in amusement
"Yes little one everything is fine. I see that you.......added to our treasure horde and that you've taken an interest in music."
He looks at the items and smiles a little. "You haven't been back for a while, and there's a funny room downstairs with all sorts of stuff. Considering the dust I don't think they care too much about the things that are there... And you wanted things for your kingdom. I wanted... To... Help." He chews on the words a little.
The kobold looks a little downcast. "I've been working on it since the other night. I thought..." he seems to be thinking about what happened earlier that day.
"I've been trying to help." He grumbles a little. "Not hurt."
Atriox listens and then takes a big slurp of wine. He then goes and sits by Tak.
"Its alright Tak. Everything is ok. Its behind us. So....... you wanna hear about the kobolds I grew up with ?
He looks up, a bit intrigued. "What were they like?"
Atriox ponders the question a bit. A million answers coming to mind.
After a minute he begins by saying "they were different, not necessarily in body but in life style if that makes sense."
He looks at Tak
"Skyhold was a place were anyone could come in live. No matter where you were from. You lived in the forest yes ? Well the kobolds I grew up with lived in these......tents I guess you would call them. They where merchants, scouts, Fishermen you name it. There tents where always brightly colored."
Atriox smiles at the memory
"As to what they actually looked like ? They were so many diverse colors. At Skyhold there wasn't really tribes you see."
Tak furrows his brow. "Really? Like... One big tribe?"
Atriox smiles an nods his head "yes like one big tribe. Exactly. I use to run around with a few kobold children. Some of my best freinds where kobolds. Back then I was no bigger than them."
He laughs at the thought
"Maybe a bit broader but same height give or take."
Tak snorts a laugh, imagining it. He fiddles with his claws as he thinks. "Even as a prince lord, you still had kobold friends?"
Atriox looks at Tak with and interesting face
"Humans might have there strange customs but my people are my people. I think no less of them and value them greatly. We all have something to contribute Tak."
He gives Tak a look
"Speaking of there was something I specifically want to talk about. We will be leaving soon for the temple. I.........I know you are uncomfortable about this but I need you to tell me everything you can about the kobolds there. And the dragon if you know anything
Tak stares at Atriox for a long moment in silence. He exhales, unsure of where to start. "Tyranus..." He says the name with kind of a bitter note, much different than how he referred to the dragon when you first met him. "A coalition of kobold came from the temple one day, on behalf of Tyranus."
"We were fine, happy. We followed our tribe leader, our elders. But they brought gifts of trinkets and jewels, and word that their dragon was looking for more. Wanted to share with more, bring about a land for dragonkind alike. Tyranus lived far away, but wished to have the territory here again. Knew of the great old dragon. Never knew where treasure was, but... Tyranus wanted it."
He shifts a little, uncomfortable. "I didn't... I didn't think it was good. It felt... sour. But tribe leaders saw jewels, saw coin, chance for bigger better tribe. Even if with blue kobolds that they were." He tilts his head. "They different from us. Not bad... but... better for the rivers. The lakes in the north. Felt strange with so many more around. They all came from the temple, which was old and empty for a long time."
"We followed them. We were told to help scare the humans. To chase them away. We were to hunt, to kill, to steal. The blues helped. But..." He trails off and is quiet for a time. He looks lost.
"The blues, much more viscous..." He blinks. "Learned some things from them. They attack not just to kill, but to hurt first. They're sly. Tricky with words. You should remember that."
"The men from the mountains, the soldiers... They killed viciously... I did too. I wish both that I didn't, and that I did more." His eyes burn. "Once... well..." He trails off, wringing his claws roughly.
He pauses for a few minutes before continuing. "Tyranus had numbers. More blues always came. I never saw Tyranus. Never was allowed in the temple. There were some camps outside, yes, most of us slept there. Ate... raid, come back. Sleep, eat... again and again. Tyranus is strong, the blues said. Strong and wise. But I don't think so. I think only greedy. Sly. Not that all whites are like that." He glances at Atriox a bit uncertainly, not wanting to be insulting. "I don't think Tyranus really care for us is all... Not really."
"Just in a few days I see you.... Kind. Tough. But fair. You really could have killed me. I deserved it." He looks a bit blank. "But you spared me. Not weak for it though... you have purpose. Give others purpose. You're good."
Atriox takes another swig of wine
"I sure try Tak.......I don't know if I'll always be able to show mercy though........I dont want to kill this Tyranus but there can only be one king and this land is mine. Any chance if beaten he'd join us i wonder."
"For sure though we need to get most of these kobolds to follow us. Are there any from your tribe? Or any that you trust or could persuade to join us ?"
He looks at you in awe at the idea of killing Tyranus, but then a little uncertain. "I never met Tyranus, so... I'm not sure. Perhaps the dragon can be bartered with. The other kobolds..." He trails off and looks down.
"None are from my tribe. I... They're all blues now." He pauses. "Maybe some didn't mind me, but they weren't... keen. The blues I fought with were very much focused on battle. War. Perfection. I was an outcast. They also aren't..." He hesitates. "They fought to the death. They never ran. If you were beaten, if you were scarred, if you ran away, you were seen as weak." He turns to show the scar on his face and arm, the slash on his chest from the goblins. "It would be a big surprise if they liked me any more now than they did before."
"If there were some from my own tribe, I'm sure I..." He sighs. "Nevermind."
Atriox grunts in disgust at the description of blue kobolds
"Is there something you'd like to tell me Tak or get of your chest ? I'm here for you my little freind we've all been through alot together already."
Tak hesitates, taking out his coin and slowly turning it in his claws. "Just..." He clears his throat. "Maybe the blues will listen if they see your power. You're strong. You may sway some of them. They like power."
Alrik stares at the crowded dining room of The Fang, getting more and more crowded by the minute. With a huff, he pulls his hood up and walks upstairs, leaving his half eaten plate and mug of juice. "I hate crowds..." he mutters as he summits the steps. "Can't see where the attack is coming from... can't defend yourself... just... BAM!" He punches his fist into the palm of his hand. "Attacked from nowhere and the coward slinks back into the crowd..." he growls.
(He hasn't drank for real in a while... XD I noticed you've been doing that.)
(Probably loud enough at times of his muttering that Tak and Atriox heard him... if they were listening...)
(He's been fighting... he doesn't drink when he's fighting...
(Also he's kinda grumpy that he hasn't been able to drink... lol. He enjoys it, but he wants to stay vigilant
Having just finished talking, Tak jumps terribly at the loud "BAM" from the hall. He stares at the door, then looks at Atriox. He can tell it's Alrik, and looks a bit worried--still remembering how he attacked him earlier that day.
(Would Alrik just come in to the room? XD Or nah? If he's mad enough?)
(He's not mad, so much as cautious... he's very wary of crowds... basically he was grumbling that he didn't feel comfortable and didn't get to finish his meal. Haha
(Right XD I guess that's what I meant, my bad)
Tak looks at the door again and cautiously jumps off the bed. Grabbing a javelin he goes to open it. Alrik, you see the kobold's luminescent yellowish eyes peek out, cowering a bit. "Storm Face in trouble? N-need help?" He feels silly saying it, as he's not really any match for either of the men let alone someone who could threaten them.
Alrik nods with a half grin at Tak's response and the fact he has a javelin. "I'm alright, Tak... dining area was getting a bit too crowded and I wasn't finished eating is all. How are you?"
He looks confused at your response, glancing at your bandaged arms. "I-I'm alright." He seems a bit on edge, like he's waiting for some retaliation.
Atriox hears all this and chuckles
"Let him little one then come back and speak with me."
Tak glances between you both, backing away from the door a little. He comes back near the bed and sits on the floor this time, leaning on his javelin with his tail wrapped around him. "What else Atriox want to know?"
Atriox takes a swig of wine then stands.
"We need to make a plan for our next move. As I said I want to try and make peice with the kobolds and possibly Tyranus. But if things don't go to plan we need a plan on how to spy on them and get information on their strengths and weaknesses. Do you have any idea Tak ?."
He thinks for a while, then lowers his head. "I... Don't really know. I was never allowed in the temple, so I don't know what they were up to or the layout inside. All I know is they like... Strength. Power impresses them. And... Trinkets. Gold. But perhaps we could..." His eyes light up a little. "There was a little cave near the temple..? Maybe you could watch them from there, if you wanted."
He eyes the wine you're drinking. He glances at Alrik, then at the bottle again. "Is... That fuzzy sour water?"
"Maybe we bring kobolds fuzzy water... Say it make them stronger. Maybe they think you're friends." He fidgets.
Atriox looks at the wine then laughs hard.
" two very good ideas Tak I like it."
Atriox scratches his chin
"And as a last resort if we had to we could make the barrels of fuzzy waters go boom."
"They can... Do that?"
Atriox gives him a smug smile
"Oh yes the stronger stuff can. The weaker fuzzy water will at least cause fire if lit. Powerful stuff. Bottoms up."
He takes a good sized swig
"Oh..." Tak gulps, watching you guzzle it.
He grips his javelin a bit harder and looks at the door. In undercommon he mumbles, "Tak... Be back in a bit. Fresh air nice."
He gets up and grabs his cloak, eying the loot pile before he heads for the door.
Alrik eyes the pile of random stuff in the corner and chuckles. Ruffling the top of Tak's head, he smiles. "Good to know kobolds here are just like the ones across the ocean. Like to gather treasures!"
Tak looks sheepish but thankful. "Yes, growing it for you. Want help."
Atriox grunts with amusement
"That's alright. We will need all the money we can get. It's going to be a long journey to reach our separate goals. Even then who knows what life will throw at us once we get my home back and Alrik achieves what he has set out to do. What about you Tak. Where do you WANT to be years from now ?"
Tak hovers near the door. "Tak want... To be poweful."
Atriox smiles at the comment thinking it sounds very Draconic.
"That's reasonable I suppose. You could go anywhere you want. Someday I'm going to need someone to help me get kobolds to Skyhold. Once they are there they will also need a tribe leader. I wonder who could maybe do that."
Atriox smirks and looks a Tak
"Cheif Tak Fire-scar that is if you wanted it."
He shuffles his feet. "That generous, very. Maybe... Someday." He looks up and his eyes shine.
Atriox snorts
"My freind dont take this the wrong way but it has nothing to do with generosity. It has everything to do with capabilities."
The kobold blinks, continuing to stare at Atriox. His hands tighten on his javelin and he nods in agreement.
Alrik nods. "So Tak... think the kobolds will believe you if you tell them you know someone with a raging storm in their heart?"
He glances at Alrik, his eyes averted a little. "Maybe. If they see it, they believe it."
Atriox looks at Tak
"Go on little one go have some fun and dont get caught if you do something......."
Atriox smiles at him
Tak smirks. "Yes, sir." He pulls his hood down and skitters out, his claws click clacking on the floorboards.
Atriox looks at Alrik for a moment
"You look far to sober Alrik here."
He tosses the wine to the man
Alrik catches it, but sets it down on the table near Atriox. "I don't drink when I'm expecting attacks... and necromancers are unpredictable."
Atriox nods a little
"Not an unwise choice I suppose though I think we've paused the necromancers plans for now. I suspect we have some time before we see him again."
Atriox grabs the wine and takes a little drink
"I think we need to turn our eyes to the forest for now. This Tyranus does not sit well with me. This is not usual behavior or climate for a white dragon."
Atriox looks slightly worried
You hear a knock at the door and Dahlia peeks in. You see Zinnia is with her and she winks at Alrik. "Hiya gentlemen. Quite a long day you've had, haven't you? Anything we can fetch for your rooms?"
Atriox smiles when he sees them at the door
"Ahhhhh there's my forbidden princess. I actually would like to take a bath with Dahlia so I think I'll part ways with you for the night Alrik. Do try to have some fun. After this there wont be much of a break for awhile."
Atriox winks at him humorously and gets up
Dahlia snorts a little in amusement, giving a fanged smile. She holds the door open for the dragonborn, and Zinnia slips inside. "Hello Alrik, the heroic storm mage of Dragonshore. I heard about the speech... you really are something else."
***
Leading the way to the baths, Dahlia eyes Atriox. "Any fun new adventures planned now? I'm a little sad I won't be able to come with." She gives a playful pout.
Atriox grunts in amusement
"I don't know about any of it being fun for awhile at least. We are going back into the forest in a day or two. We are going to look into a certain location to see if we can set up a secret camp to spy on the kobolds. Something about that whole situation doesn't sit easy with me for some reason."
He looks at her with a smile
" there are plenty of adventures still to come princess you may yet se plenty of them."
She laughs. "I'm sure you'll do fine. You've helped us so much already." As they arrive at the pools Dahlia snatches two fresh towels along with a bottle of wine for her customer. She sits down behind Atriox once he's in the bath, handing him the bottle and rubbing his shoulders. She runs her hand along his back. "Your wound is starting to look a lot better. I'm glad... It'll scar pretty cleanly, too. Just another story, right?"
Atriox ponders the question for a minute. Something about how she said it doesn't sit right with him.
"He grabs one of her hands that are on his shoulders
"No. Not just another story. The legend of how the Princess Hero of Dragonshore saved a visiting Prince from a far off land that was on the brink of death."
He squizes her hand
"Its something that I will never forget"
She looks both amused and touched at the same time. "Atriox..." Dahlia gives a wan smile and kisses him on the cheek. "Thank you. You're a very kind person. I... won't ever be able to forget you."
Atriox tries not to be saddened by the tone of the conversation.
"Nor I you.......now let's drop this saddens. Say what's your favorite color?"
She chuckles as she goes back to rubbing his shoulders. "You'll think I'm being silly if I say."
Atriox grunts blowing steam
He looks sideways at her raising a created eyebrow playfully
" your not going to make me ask twice are you ?"
She smirks and playfully stays quiet.
Atriox feels the smirk on her face and in the absence of her speaking he guesses her decision. He smirks
He grabs her sneakily with his tail and then pulls her under the water quickly but gently
After just a few seconds he lifts her out of the water in his arms
"Ready to talk yet my lady ?"
Having taken a breath right before the surprise plunge, Dahlia opens her eyes and exhales, taking a deep breath. She tries to keep her composure. "That was sneaky, Prince." She brushes the wet hair out of her golden eyes, giving him a coy look... but no response.
Dahlia's smile grows... She swishes her tail roughly, splashing Atriox hard in the face with a wave of water.
Atriox sputters on the water for a second laughing before he retaliates with his tail. While shes still got water in her face he let's go of her and drops her into the water
The look of surprise on her face is priceless. She falls back in with a splash and a curse, as she tries and fails to grab on to you. (Rolled a 4 xD) Other patrons look over and snicker, laugh, or grumble at the noise.
She twists around in the water and manages to get her feet under her, standing up with a spluttering effort. She wipes off her face and wrings her hair out. "You don't play fair." She chastises him with a smile.
He laughs and smiles back
"Winning is winning my lady no matter how you do it. But I tried to be gentle."
He strokes her face gently
"Now my lady answer the question if you please."
She turns her cheek coyly, looking away and thinking. "My favorite color is white."
She gives him a sidelong glance, smoothing her hair out. "It reminds me of home. The beaches there had white sand, and white trees with silver leaves. It was rather beautiful."
Atriox smiles
"Why would that be silly ? Sounds beautiful. Maybe you will go back someday?"
She looks contemplative. "Maybe so... Some day. It's been a long time, though. I worry it's... changed. Sometimes memories are more beautiful than reality."
She smiles. "What's your favorite color?"
Atriox thinks about it for awhile
" I do like white alot myself but I think.......
He cups her face and looks at her golden eyes
"I think gold is the most beautiful color there is"
Dahlia snickers, shaking her head. "You're one of the cheesiest men I've ever met in my life, Atriox."
"But," she laughs, "unlike most of them I can tell you mean it. You're sweet."
***
Alrik huffs at Zinnia's remark. "Heroes are people who put other's wellbeing before their own... those things Atriox said about me, while somewhat true, I didn't do to save others. It was to save my own ass."
Zinnia looks a bit taken aback by the response, and grasps around for a different direction to take the conversation. "Well I'm glad you're safe... It sounds like there is a lot of scary stuff going on, and it does make me nervous. I feel safer here with you." She smiles again, hoping to cheer Alrik up.
"Safe is all relative to what you know. Tak and I thought we were safe in that corn field... until we knew the skeletons were there." His eyes glass over slightly as he stares out the window. "Mattias and Stryss thought they were safe. Then the raiders ambushed and took their heads..."
A tear runs down his cheek and an angry scowl comes across his face. "We thought we were safe. And then... that... knife..." he breaks down sobbing, muttering incoherently, rubbing the back of his neck.
She takes a hesitant step forward, her hands to her mouth. "Sir..?" Reaching out she gently brushes his shoulder. "It's okay, you're... you're safe here..."
Despite her profession, the innocence and empathy in her eyes is apparent. Zinnia sits beside Alrik and strokes his hair, hoping to calm the tidal wave of emotion.
After a while the sobs subside, Alrik still breathing heavy and shakily. Still holding the back of his neck, he looks at Zinnia. "I apologize... I have things that haunt my mind."
She stares at him, her blue eyes guileless. "Nothing to apologize for, sir, nothing at all. You've been through a lot, I'm sure... a lot in your short life." Her fingers drifts from his dark hair to the hand on the back of his neck. She holds her hand to it kindly.
"I've been on my own for over twenty years now... other than the occasional orphanage when the guards caught me, but that wasn't often..."
Zinnia's expression softens more. "I'm sorry you grew up as an orphan. We have an orphanage here, actually, I... I feel for the children who end up there. It's hard living on the streets. Do... you want to talk about it, sir? You can relax on your bed, I'm a good listener."
Alrik moves his hand from the back of his neck, shaking his head. "No, but thank you... it's... it's in the past. Something I'll have to deal with eventually."
She nods in understanding. "You're strong. You'll be okay. Can I fetch you anything, sir?"
He stands and begins walking to the door of Atriox's room. "I wouldn't mind something to eat and drink... perhaps a roast chicken and some kind of fruit juice. I'm going to attempt and make use of this ring..." he hold up his left hand, the spell storing ring on his finger.
Zinnia stands too, following him out. "As you wish, I'll make sure to have it brought to you shortly. Good luck." She smiles, looking at the ring curiously.
(Would you like to describe anything about you working with the ring or nah? It's ok either way. Just let me know what spell you wish to store in it. :) )
Once back in his room, Alrik removes his jacket and shirt, knowing from past experience that the process of storing such a powerful spell leaves him exhausted and drenched in sweat. "Alright, let's get this done..."
Focusing on the ring on his finger, he senses the crystals and their ability to store his magic power. He lifts his right hand and holds it out toward the ring, the storm welling up in his eyes, flashing and thundering in them. He pictures the orbs of pure electrical energy in his hands, as he's done hundreds, if not thousands of times...
Instead of the spheres arcing into his hands, a couple of the crystals begin giving a faint blue glow. He collapses into the nearby chair, wiping his forehead and breathing heavy.
(Magic Missile using a level 2 spell slot and +3 sorcery points)
Zinnia eventually returns to Alrik's room, a platter in hand. "Chicken as requested sir, with greens and fresh gooseberry cider." She gives him a concerned glance, his exhaustion palpable.
"Magic is... difficult, I'm sure, to manipulate. It's amazing what you can do Alrik. It truly is." She sets down the meal on the table next to him, hovering about a little. She's definitely intrigued by the glowing ring, watching the lights in the jewels.
Alrik nods at Zinnia as she enters the room and almost immediately grabs the juice and drinks nearly half of it in one go. Still gasping for air, he pulls the ring off his finger and holds it out for her to see. After a few deep breaths to calm his breathing, he takes another small drink to wet his mouth and throat. "Magic is best described as a living creature. It has a mind of it's own and you must respect it. if you aren't careful..." he gestures to the purple scar on his face. "It will bite you."
Zinnia sits in another chair nearby, admiring the beautiful ring and its mesmerizing magic. Looking up at Alrik, she gazes at his scar again. "I've seen a lot of people come and go from this place, and I must say, I've never seen a sorcerer quite like you. Your handle on the arcane is... impressive. But I know it's still through your own trials that you've learned. You'll continue to grow, I'm sure of it."
Miss?" He asks Zinnia, and without waiting for her to reply, begins cutting up the rest of the chicken.
"The schools of the arcane are in place to protect mages from their power. To learn it's ways in a careful and controlled manner. I didn't attend one of these schools until I enlisted." He smirks, his eyes flashing with the color and intensity of a lightning strike.
A little surprised by the offer, Zinnia smiles. "White meat is fine, thank you sir. And..." She chuckles, "I'm not entirely surprised at that. You are both controlled and... unpredictable. But in a good way, I think."
Alrik smiles as he puts together a plate for his companion, enjoying her company and kind, honest words. "Indeed..." he chuckles. "I control the arcane energy flowing through my veins as much as I can... but on occasion it gets the better of me and something the Mage Guard calls a reckless spell happens. It's a spell that is emotionally charged, usually cast during a time of intense stress, anger or fear... they're incredibly powerful... but uncontrollable. They can backfire or get out of control." He hands her the plate along with a glass of the juice. "When I enlisted, the Magus, the person in charge of the entire Mage Guard, asked us all what school we attended. When it got to my turn, I didn't lie. I told him I'd never attended one. He assumed my magic was weak and pitiful, and told me to cast a spell... any spell... to try and hit him." Alrik smiles at the memory.
"I later learned he was expecting a feeble spell of some sort, like a single magic missile or a tiny fire charge... instead, what he got was a full blown lightning bolt." He takes a sip of his juice before continuing to regale Zinnia with the story.
"He had no idea how an orphan bastard with no formal training could cast such a spell, until he witnessed the incident only a few weeks later..." he runs his hand down the scar on his face. "He knew instantly that the lightning bolt I threw at him was meager compared to the reckless one I used to kill the basalisk... that's how I earned the nickname The Tempest."
He reaches into the satchel hanging from his chair and holds out a patch for her to see. It has clearly been carefully cut from his uniform. It is a simple gray shield with a storm cloud and lightning bolts arcing from it. "The Mage Guard have mages who specialize in one element or another. Usually they spend their whole life practicing their power." He puts the patch away, back in his satchel.
"Magus Jaundree, also known as The Inferno, is a fire master. He achieved this title at the age of 58. He and I became close friends while I served under him in the deserts... he confided in me that I am the youngest elemental master in the history of the Mage Guard..."
Zinnia partakes of the meal gratefully, enraptured with the story you're sharing. You see her eyes light up in awe and excitement, then with complete delight at the honor you received in the Mage Guard. "You definitely seem young, sir, for having so much power and mastery over your craft. How old are you, Alrik?" She is both curious and honestly, somewhat star-stricken being around you.
"I'm 29. I enlisted when I was 20, and turned 29 on the journey out of the desert." He nibbles at a chicken leg, as if lost in thought. "And how old are you, Miss Zinnia?"
She picks up a tomato and pops it in her mouth with a grin. "I'm 20. Rather new here, to be honest." She chuckles. "But I learn fast."
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